Parking Guide
It’s not uncommon to find an assortment of parking scratches and bruises in residential garages. One of the most popular remedies is the old tennis ball on a string hanging from the ceiling trick. This is a time tested remedy that works, but there are also modern solutions as well. Enter laser and proximity parking guides. Laser guides typically attach to the ceiling on or near the garage door opener. When the door is opened, the laser is activated and lights up a beam. All you have to do is line up the beam to a particular spot on your dashboard when your vehicle is already parked. Then, each time you pull in, let the preset beam show you where to stop. You can get just a single laser or a dual-laser depending on the needs of your garage. Proximity sensors, unlike lasers, mount on the wall you approach when you park in your garage. With these, you simply preset the distance between your bumper and the sensor. Then, as you approach, the sensor will tell you when to stop. Some models even act like a stoplight, with a yellow caution lamp, followed by a red stop lamp.

In addition to the main pieces of a workbench there are many add-ons that are used to increase utility. Back and End stops might be installed to prevent things from rolling off onto the floor. Drawers, shelves and risers can be added for increased storage. Electrical power strips and outlet cutouts can be incorporated into the design as well to run tools, grinders, drill presses, etc. Vises and clamps can also be added to help secure whatever you are working on. The best place to start when choosing a design is to define the intended use. Once that is established the support structure, worktop, add-ons and size can be more easily selected. There are literally thousands of available workbench designs and configurations, many of which will suit your needs and budget. When in doubt contact your supplier for assistance selecting an appropriate design.

Of course there is much more to owning and maintaining a car than just tightening nuts and sewing up split seams, and you may find that you want to add non-stock parts such as a more efficient air filter or new exhaust to improve performance, and once you understand the basics of automotive maintenance, upgrades and tuning will become more accessible, saving you even more money in the long term.